Jude Bellingham‘s two goals at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys canceled out an early goal by Barcelona, and Real Madrid came out on top in Saturday’s Clasico against them.
As a result, Real Madrid overtook Barcelona to take the lead in the league table, and Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the La Liga season. The first such comeback in El Clasico since 1988 was achieved by Real Madrid after trailing by a goal at the half.
In front of their home supporters, Barcelona initially appeared to be coasting as Ilkay Gündogan’s strike in the sixth minute gave them an early lead. The Jude Bellingham Show, however, started then.
First, in the 68th minute, the English midfielder scored with a tremendous, breathtaking shot. The pace and force behind it were too much for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who hardly got a hand to it. The game-winning goal was then scored by Bellingham in stoppage time. Luka Modric got a toe to a cross from Dani Carvajal that bounced toward goal, and Bellingham pounced, slotting it past Ter Stegen.
Sam Marsden and Alex Kirkland, who witnessed the game in Spain on Saturday, responded as follows:
Bellingham was quiet until Real Madrid wasn’t
Ultimately, it was all about Jude Bellingham, of course. The best player in La Liga this year had been quiet during the El Clasico, mirroring Real Madrid’s tranquil team dynamic, but when it came time for his moment, he made the biggest impact imaginable.
With Madrid trailing 1-0 in the 68th minute, Gavi’s header struck Bellingham outside the Barcelona box. Prior to launching a ferocious shot past Ter Stegen, he used two touches: one to control the ball during the turn and the other to remove it from under his feet. In the biggest game of all, he scored his finest goal in La Liga, which was also his 12th goal overall for Madrid.
There was yet more. He was there inside the six-yard box, sliding past Ter Stegen for the game-winning goal in the ninetieth minute. Real Madrid’s No. 10 scored ten league goals, accepting yet another challenge to win the El Clasico on the first try.
Madrid had been underwhelming at Montjuic prior to that. Even though they fell down early on due to weak defense from David Alaba and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which let Gundogan in, there was still no response. It was unclear if Madrid had a strategy for fighting their way back. They appeared uninspired, lacking in ideas for a game of this size, and unacceptable. In contrast, Barca’s performance demonstrated a strong defensive line, focus, and composure, supporting manager Xavi Hernandez’s choice to start three center backs, with Ronald Araújo providing support against Vinícius Júnior of Madrid.
In the first half, Madrid failed to muster a single shot on goal. Midway through the half, Antonio Rüdiger’s outrageously ambitious long-range attempt went well beyond the crossbar. They had trouble posing a threat and moving Federico Valverde, Rodrygo Goes, or Vinícius into positions where they could harm Barca. Bellingham was also silent. At 52 minutes, Eduardo Camavinga replaced the anonymous Ferland Mendy, and the team immediately became better. There was now some direction, urgency, and spark. After an hour, Toni Kroos had their first effort on goal, which Ter Stegen easily stopped.
In an attempt to press Madrid for an equalizer, coach Carlo Ancelotti brought on Modric and Joselu; however, when it came time, it was all about one man, Bellingham, making an unexpected goal. Bellingham’s early goals this season have more than made up for the team’s absence of a center forward. It seems that he can now score from any location.
Bellingham’s first goal in this venue was from a distance of 31 yards, which was his second-longest goal ever. It was a ball that had been hit with rage, or maybe frustration. There was no joyful celebration with arms extended. Rather, he pivoted and dashed back to the central circle, fully focused and prepared to repeat the action. And he did, in extra time. The festivities were jubilant this time.
Barca’s fall following a stellar start indicates that there is still work to be done
Barcelona will be perplexed as to how they let this one get away.
They started the game stronger thanks to Xavi’s wise choice to start three central defenders and wingbacks. The first-half display of Barça’s team, which saw Vinicius and Bellingham well-restrained and Gundogan’s goal give the home club a well-earned lead, will have greatly pleased the coach.
Xavi, though, will be angry with Barça for allowing Madrid to get back into the match after the half. Barça lost their first La Liga match of the year and are now behind Madrid and Girona by four points.
The focus of Barca’s lead-up to the season’s first Clásico had been fitness concerns. Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Koundé were eventually judged healthy enough to return to the bench, but Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Sergi Roberto were left out too soon.
Still, Barça made an early impression. They led in the sixth minute thanks to a goal from Gundogan, and they ought to have scored another. One of the season’s biggest surprises, Fermín López, made an appearance on social media. After nutmegting Rüdiger brilliantly, João Félix dallied on the ball, which gave Carvajal the opportunity to make a great challenge.
Chances came again after the interval. Goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga stopped Araújo’s rebound after Iñigo Martínez headed Fermín’s cross against the post. Lewandowski was brought on at the hour mark in an attempt by Xavi to end the match and overtake Madrid in the standings. After that, João Cancelo watched a deflected effort loop wide, and Los Blancos started to press Barça.
Ter Stegen mishandled Tchouaméni’s long-range attempt, but it was a warning anyway, as Bellingham pulled Madrid even a few minutes later. Lewandowski nearly gave Barça the lead back, but just when it appeared that a draw was certain, Bellingham struck again, this time turning in a cross from Carvajal in stoppage time.
The Rolling Stones’ Clásico was meant to be this. Due to Barça’s sponsorship deal with Spotify, their logo was shown on the team’s uniforms, while Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood sat in the directors’ box. But as has been the case for Madrid so far this season, the final song on the soundtrack was a Beatles song called “Hey Jude.”
Barça’s season won’t end because of the loss, but it will hurt. After 11 games, a four-point deficit to the leaders is hardly disastrous, even though it came in difficult conditions with multiple players out or injured. They failed to add a second before fading in the last 20 minutes, though, which only served to emphasize the need for more work to be done at both ends of the field.